El Malpais National Conservation Area

Albuquerque > Day Trips from Albuquerque

Located 80 miles west of Albuquerque, the El Malpais (badlands in Spanish) National Conservation Area is a must-see destination for visitors to New Mexico. The area was established in 1987 to protect and showcase numerous natural wonders surrounding the Grants Lava Flows. Included in the area you can admire La Ventana Natural Arch, numerous dramatic sandstone rock formations, canyons and cliffs. Your first stop should be the Ranger Station, where you can get information on current conditions and the various hiking, biking and equestrian trails. Activities in the conservation area include wildlife watching, hiking, walking, cave-exploring and much more. If you have an RV you can easily spend a night or two in the Joe Skeen Campground.

El Malpais National Conservation Area, Grants, NM 87020, Phone: 505-280-2918

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Step 4: Estimate your driving time using Google Maps (click the blue 'Directions' arrow in the search box).

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